Paul Cezanne's The Abduction

Early in his career French Painter Paul Cezanne was introduced to a famous group of artists that included Manet, Degas and Pissaro. His shy nature and defensiveness inhibited him from becoming close to the group, qualities that were part of his intense personality.

"The awareness of our own strength makes us modest."

-Paul Cezanee (1839 - 1906)

The Abduction, 1867, Paul Cezanne.

In his painting above; Abduction, the motif is rape and murder. The brush strokes and the subject matter reek of dark mystery and intensity held just under his containment. A fire in his soul tormented Cezanne and this comes out in his paintings. The fact that this was painted in 1867 astounds me, the intensity of the brush strokes and vibrancy of the color is something that influenced artists for the next 40 years, and to this day.